Layl McDill

Layl McDill* Minneapolis

www.claysquared.com
layl@claysquared.com
Clay Squared to Infinity
34 Thirteenth Ave. NE suite 109
Minneapolis, MN 55413
612-781-6409

Artist Statement

When I was about 13 years old I decided never to grow up. I was still building villages and amusement parks for my “Smurf” collection, making puppets and dolls and I refusing to become a “normal teenager”. Today, at this point in my art career I find that when my art is most like what I made as a child I am most excited to create it.

At the beginning of my career as an artist I worked in a variety of mediums including fabric.   I created many pieces that were more traditional doll like in form and materials but now I have moved towards polymer clay and I find that I am creating “fabric” with clay and making figures that are inspired by a doll like form. Most pieces start with a glimpse of a figure in a certain pose and then the setting seems to emerge as I create.

Recently I have rediscovered my love for stories. Many of my pieces have story-like titles and some of my work incorporates a whole story into the piece. I like to let these stories emerge through the art first- letting the expressions on the characters and their surroundings tell me the story. I try to look for magic in everyday occurrences and objects- constantly trying to hold on to that wonder that I remember from childhood before I knew what things were really for and the meaning of things.

I love to create pieces that have multi layers in the way the piece is viewed and perceived.   The visual effect comes from the tiny pieces of millefiore that cover a sculpture- at first you see the over all sculpture but as you look closer you see images making up other patterns- skunks, turtles, fish, cats, bugs and so on- you feel like you can never see it all. I also try to achieve multi layers in meaning and story by using symbolism that can be either personal or universal. Every time you come to a piece I hope that you see and experience something new.

I like to use the form of a doll because it is universal and connects to everyone’s memories of their childhood. I am constantly trying to connect to the 12 year old inside me that is driven to create fanciful figures in imaginary places and hope that the viewer can be transported back in time and reminded of the feelings of wonderment they had in their early years.

BIO
    Layl McDill grew up in Gillette, Wyoming where she began creating things at a very young age. Here first “story boxes” were doll houses and even an entire “Smurf Village” in the basement. . Out in the wild west most of her exposure to art were cards and stickers in the local gift shop and western paintings and bronze sculptures. She learned a variety of different arts and crafts techniques in 4-H, everything from dough art to taxidermy. This exposure to trying different techniques gave her the confidence to venture into any technique she felt the whim to try.

       When Layl was 17 she saw modern art for the first time on a family trip to Washington DC and New York City. She was extremely excited about the endless possibilities of mixed media when she saw pop art that used everyday objects and oil painting and whatever else. Suddenly her creativity was unleashed, art was more than just painting and drawing. She could make ANYTHING!   Her senior year of high school was spent making numerous sculptures that were both 3-D and 2-D at the same time- a lot like pop up sculptures that are always popped up.

        After a year of creating an attic full of sculptures she decided to be more practical and choose a major that had actual job prospects.   She majored in illustration in art school at the Columbus College of Art and Design with plans to write and illustrate children’s books but the mixed media materials she used in the community outreach programs she taught continued to intrigue her. Layl did illustrate three books for a small publishing company in Columbus, Ohio but the restraints of working on a flat surface were too frustrating.

        When Layl found success selling her art at arts festivals even when she was still in art school she began to realize conventional illustration was not her real love.   She found she could actually make a living making what she really loved to make.   Layl made “Story boxes”, “Story Quilts”, “Story Scraps”, “Story Vests” made of fabric, found objects, and polymer clay. Over the years polymer clay has become her dominant medium. Since 2000 she has worked primarily in clay creating series of work that tell stories about her life as a mother and as an artist.

       Layl now lives and creates in Minneapolis with her two daughters and husband. In 1999 she and her husband, Josh Blanc, opened their studio/showroom Clay Squared to Infinity in North East Minneapolis. Here she sells her work and Josh makes and sells tiles. She still does many festivals through out the year and teaches artist-in-residencies.

Goddess of the Four Elements

polymer clay, wire, glitter and Apoxy

31"x20"x4"

$500

Goddess of Nature

17"x9"x3"

$430

Classes and Shows

Mermaid Swoop Mirror

Polymer clay, wood, paint, mirror, glass mosaics,
beads, wire, glitter

32"x21"x5"

$475

She Made It Look Easy to Control the Rhino Puppet

Polymer clay, wire, glitter, beads

28"x20"x4"

$850

Even Mermaids Need Vacations

Polymer clay, wire, glitter, beads

24"x22"X5"

$600